Shoe-lace fastener



(No Modem No. 504,568. Patented Septj, 1893.

E: I I d?- :3 Z 1? NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT R. DRAKE, OF WALTHAM, AND FREDERICK A. HIGGINS, OF IVINTHROP,MASSACHUSETTS; SAID HIGGINS ASSIGNOR TO SAID DRAKE; SAID DRAKE ASSIGNOROF ONE-HALF OF \VI-IOLE RIGHT TO EMMA L. HIGGINS, OF WINTHROP,MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE-LACE FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,568, datedSeptember 5, 1893.

Application filed November 30, 189]. Serial No. 13,490. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT R. DRAKE, residing at IValtham, in thecounty of Middlesex, and FREDERICK A. HIGGINS, residing at Winthrop, inthe county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, citizens of the UnitedStates, have jointly invented new and useful Improvements in Cord orLace FasteningDevices, of which the following, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a novel, simple, andefficient cord or lace fastener, and it consists in the features ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a plan view ofthe metal blank from which the fastening is made. Fig. 2 represents aplan view of said blank after being punched, shaped and slitted. Fig. 3represents a plan view similar to Fig. 2 showing the prongs bentdownward. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the finished fastener,and Fig. 5 represents a top view of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 represents across-section on the line XX shown in Fig. I; and Fig. 7 represents aside view of the fastening device showing it as clinched and held inposition on the article on which it is to be used.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on thedifferent parts of the drawings.

The fastening device is made from a sheet metal blank A shown in Fig. lwhich is formed with parallel, longitudinal edges and is slitted asshown at b, Z),in Fig. 2 by which clinching points B, B, are formed asshown; at or near where such slits are made a blister or projection israised and at or near the other end of the blankis made a perforation Das shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The end E is preferably curved or bent asshown to allow the string or lace to be readily introduced between thelocking parts of the device. The blank so formed is afterward doubledupon itself on a line Y as shown in Fig. 3, and the clinching points B,B, bent downward as shown in Fig. l when the article is finished andready for being secured to the upper leather F of a boot or shoe orother material on which it is to be used and it is secured in place bymeans of the prongs B, B, which are passed through the goods andclinched on the underside thereof as fully shown in Fig. 7.

Gin Figs. and 6 represents the cord, string or lace that is to beheld inplace by means of the improved fastening device.

In fastening a string, &c., it is only necessary to draw it between theyielding folded portions of the fastener when the string will be held inplace by being confined between the blister or projection C and theedges of the perforation or recess D as fully shown in Fig. 6. Thestring can easily be detached from the fastening device simply bypulling it from between the yielding folded portions whenever sodesired.

The invention is very simple in construction, can be made at a veryslight expense and serves as a ready means for securing shoe strings orlaces of any kind in position without the need of tying knots ashereinabove fully described.

Having thus fully described the nature, construction, and operation ofour invention,we .wish to secure by Letters Patent and claim A lace orstring holder, consisting of a blank having parallel side edges, theorifice D, the blister O, and the curved edge slits b to form theclinching points B, said blank being folded transversely upon itself toregister the blister with the perforation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification,inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this th day of November,A. D. 1891.

ALBERT R. DRAKE.

FREDERICK A. HIGGINS.

IVitn ess es:

ALBAN ANDREN, ALICE A. PERKINS.

